Simply Poetry

By Peter Roland Barr

The book entitled Simply Poetry is a personal compilation of poetry with some short stories included. The poetry is drawn from a wide subject matter encompassing topics of humour, thought provoking metaphors, sensitive, fantasy, inspirational, romantic and also expressions of sympathy.

The vicissitudes of life and living, expressed in poetic simplicity. Listen and feel the inaudible whisperings to the heart and soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Mar 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479778157

Peter Roland Barr

Peter Roland Barr was born on December 18 1943 Skuodas Lithuania In 1950 emigrated to Australia. At age twenty three married Genivive (Genny) Romaniak, his childhood sweetheart They have raised four children; Adam, David, Matthew and Genevieve; and are proud grandparents Peter began to write an occasional poem in his early twenties, the subject matter drawn from perhaps an experience of his, or another's; and also from what he referred to as “dream-time fantasies” capturing the feelings stirred by the sight, the sound or event of the moment, It was, and continues to be a satisfying experience for him to sit and write.

Book preview

Romance

If music be the food of love, Play on!

Expressed Shakespeare’s Duke Orsino in his search for love

If I had been at Shakespeare’s side when he wrote the above line for his character ‘Duke Orsino’ I would have tried to convince him to add an extrara word… . poetry

"If poetry and music were the food of love… ." – But it is very evident that Shakespeare was well aware of the power of poetry and it’s ability to evoke emotions of all kinds

The following verses in this chapter of poetry entitled, Romance are the result of my love for a woman – my wife.

Love

Throughout time, countless writings and expressions in poetic verse and song, have been written in an attempt to capture the wonder of love.

I do not pretend that the little I have written can stand anywhere near the shadow of the masters like, Browning, Shakespeare etc. Nor have I tried to emulate their unique prose.

Along with millions of romantics, I too, appreciate and salute their genius.

Men and women in so many ways, come so close to expressing the ideal word or sentiment that it does not matter if we do not identify love precisely, or, what we may imagine precisely to be.

We each can, and do, express our own feelings so sufficiently that the way one says, writes or sings the message of love, thrills the heart of the giver and the receiver.

There is perhaps no final, complete, written definition or description of love in its wonderful and fulfilling mystery. One may ask, are there words or expression sufficient?

The selected poetry and writings in this Romance chapter which follows, has come simply and purely as a result of life together with my wife Genivive ( Genny). Being with and around her daily, provides for me, opportunities far too numerous to pen. She is the cause that inspires me to write. She ‘seeds’ my emotions which come to life on paper.

These few love poems of affection, lighthearted fun and frolic, and playful foolishness, convey but a fraction of my love, thoughts and feelings for her. They just skim the surface of ‘volumes’ untold.

And so, be as it may because there are not words sufficient, my love poems fall short of expressing how deeply my heart feels. Yet, I rest satisfied that I have responded to the feelings within me and I have placed words on paper so that there will never be any doubt for her, that she, is the sunrise of my mornings and the moonlight of my evenings.

She Is My Morning

She is my morning, when night has passed

I dreamed forever the time would last,

I smile remembering her soft perfume

Why did the night, pass so soon

She is my evening, when day has passed

Wrapped in her arms again at last

She draws me close, so very near

Against her breast, her heart I hear

She is my midnight, In my embrace

I feel her movement, her breath I taste

There is no other place for me

Just here beside her, In ecstasy

When I awake I see her eyes

Looking at me, o sweet surprise

She gently smiles, I’m hypnotized,

I’m lost in love, with the new sunrise

She is my morning she starts my day

She is my daylight in endless ways

She is my evening my cup she fills

She is my midnight where time stands still

June 1 2014

Upon waking this morning, I felt to write a love song – and so I did!

Oh’ Memory

Oh’ Memory, thou hast not me forgotten!

I live this present day, fulfilled.

And when I think of her, – Joy fills my breast.

Sweet Memory, in my dreams

I live the past with zest.

She, – Is my beauty rich and rare.

Ah, Memory,

Her searching eyes, they cause my strength to blush.

Memory, thou art the kindling for the fire that thou hast lit,

The flames and heat, they now rise in a rush.

From near or far I gaze upon her face,

And lock the moment deep within mine heart.

Thou art swift oh’ Memory – as I listen to the music of her voice,

Thou doth capture her for me.

And I rejoice!

Her smile her touch her words of love

I treasure them each day,

These precious moments of the way we feel.

A tender look a stolen glance, I tuck away to Memory,

Then bring them back to savour, because they are so real

Memory, thou doth rejuvenate my life.

Eyes closed, perfume sublime, my senses feel the touch.

Thou doth fill this heart with dreams which overflow.

I bid thee stay, sweet Memory,

Don’t venture out, don’t go.

And so thou live, my Memory. Thou livest within this soul.

Thou knowth how to make my dreams take flight.

I am spellbound by this jewel, this jewel of womankind

Thou weavest magic threads,

Silky thoughts within my mind.

Dear Memory mine, I feel thy warm embrace

As thou wind around my heart, the feelings of her love.

Then – when my thoughts, reach out for her each day

Thou doth unwind them free to fly,

In beguiling wondrous ways.

Oh Memory, how my heart doth soar with thee!

As thou taketh me to mountain tops

And valleys lush and green,

To wander with my only love

Mid reflections lived and seen.

Then bursting forth, – thou doth fill my joys and senses

Dear Memory sweet, thou knowth what I need,

Memories of love, so tightly knit together,

It’s the present and the past!

Which cling as one! – forever

August 5 2013

Reflections of a Thousand Ships

If you and I had lived long ago,

To prove my love for you

I would have built for you, a Taj Mahal

Or maybe even two

And then a Pyramid, and Sphinx,

And a statue of you in stone,

To show my love is ageless,

For you, and you alone!

Then I’d build a great long wall

To keep you safe and free

We’d roam the land, hand in hand

Connected, you and me

I’d build you a lake of beauty

Surrounded by birds and flowers

Water would sparkle, as do your eyes

We’d play amid the sun showers

I’d lead a thousand ships to sea

And from harm would rescue you

Ten thousand soldiers at my side

To prove my love is true

But we, did not live long ago

With dragons and sorcerers too

When chivalry, was at its best

With ‘Knights of Round Table’ in view

We live today, you and me

Not a long long time ago

To prove the love I have for you

I can only in simple ways show

Look into my eyes, when I gaze at you

Look deep and you will see

Reflections of a thousand ships

And a statue of you, for me

All that I would and all that I could

For you I would do all the while

Do you see a Pyramid or a Taj Mahal

Behind my every smile

When I take your hand as we walk along

When I open the door for you

Think, of the ‘Round Table’ of long ago

I’m your Knight, to you, I am true

If I had built, all these wonders

As a token of my love for you

They could not match the power

That a kiss or a touch can do

When I touch and kiss you,

Whisper I love you

And gaze at you gently and smile

I’m offering me, my best that I have

And I’m yours for a long long while

March 15 2009

Because She Is

Because she is, I am

I am, because she is

Because she is,

The day begins with bright sunshine

She plays with the breeze and it makes me sigh

Because she is.

Because she is,

I don’t see clouds yet it rains from high

I’m soaked to the skin but I feel dry

Because she is.

Because she is,

The moon is bright, on a moonless night

I see moon